[ronboman]

Hi all. We had an extreme cold snap last week and my car would not accept my key. The engine immobilizer system would not let my car start. I managed to get my spare key and the car started right up. So I figured something happened to my key. When I finally got my car home, I tried the key that was not working. It now works fine. My immobilizer light is also blinking now when the car if off and the keys are out of the ignition. I don't think it did this prior to the issue (but it may have and i just never paid attention to it). Is it normal for this light to blink?

The light I am referring to is a little car with a a key in the middle.

Thanks!

 

[5eif]

mine always blinks after removing the key

 

[wesleyd]

I had some similar issues right before Christmas. There were two things that caused this. One: when Best Buy installed the remote starter last year they crack an internal antenna in the immobilizer module. And two: one of the wires leading to the starter was corroded and allowed current to flow sporadicly. The red key light always is supposed to flash when the car is off and the key is removed. The work was all covered by warranty thank God, as Steele Mazda didn't even have to touch anything since the immobilizer was broken by a third party. The bad cable is a know issue as it was the first thing to tow truck driver checked when he showed up. So if it happens again I would take it to the dealer and have them look at that starter cable.

Wes

 

[wilb]

[quote author=ronboman link=topic=133642.msg2872432#msg2872432 date=1232275196]
Hi all. We had an extreme cold snap last week and my car would not accept my key. The engine immobilizer system would not let my car start. I managed to get my spare key and the car started right up. So I figured something happened to my key. When I finally got my car home, I tried the key that was not working. It now works fine. My immobilizer light is also blinking now when the car if off and the keys are out of the ignition. I don't think it did this prior to the issue (but it may have and i just never paid attention to it). Is it normal for this light to blink?

The light I am referring to is a little car with a a key in the middle.

Thanks!
[/quote]


Your car seems to be doing its job and is fine. Your key is the problem. Why would one key work and the other not?
Your primary key is bad. The light blinking is normal, the light means that your immobilizer is working.

Get a new key. If you only have one working key, you will be paying about $150 for a new key.


edit: ops! i thought the key stopped working altogether.

 

[antichrysler]

I may be able to shed some light in this. I had a similar issue last week. If it won't recognize the key when it gets extremely cold outside there's two possibilities, the computer has lost the programming for the key (which it seems like yours did), or the relay for the starter froze. This is what the dealership in Saskatoon told me (they actually know their stuff). I took my car in last week and had the relay replaced. Been working fine ever since, if you need to know which relay it is let me know.

Also, the dealership has told me there is a firmware upgrade for the computer to resolve an issue with starting when it gets cold outside. I asked them what it fixed and they said they didn't know how it was fixed, but just that the fix existed. I would suggest talking to a more competent dealership than I did (Regina Mazda, only dealership to be found within 300kms of where I live, and not very competent).

 

[icspots]

If the key worked later then the computer didn't "forget" the key and then miraculously remember it later. Seems more likely a relay as someone suggested.

Still you should add a third key (see my sticky in the "I just got my 3" section).

 

[antichrysler]

Long story short it's a crappy relay and possibly a firmware upgrade.

I've been told the firmware upgrade affected 04-06 and early 07's.

 

[jonathaneyarrow]

My dealer told me to put the key in the freezer for a few minutes and it would start. I don't even know how I even came to ask this because I never had a problem, but they told me to if I ever had that problem.